Hydraulic press



H. B. ALBERS HYDRAULIC PRESS Nov. 1, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 24, 1950 lnlill l H. B. ALBERS HYDRAULIC PRESS Nov. 1, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 24 1950 Nov. 1, 1955 H. B. ALBERS 2,722,174

HYDRAULIC PRESS Filed Nov. 24, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Hr/m u/ 6' Amt-Rs TTOR/VE/S United States Patent HYDRAULIC PRESS Heinrich B. Albers, Malvern, N. Y., assignor to Hydropress, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application November 24, 1950, Serial No. 197,362

7 Claims. (Cl. 100269) This invention relates to hydraulic presses and par ticularly to die forging presses of relatively large capacity.

As the size of die forging presses, and the like, has increased, difficulty has been encountered because of manufacturing limitations in producing parts having requisite strength characteristics. In the case of high loads with spaced vertical force transmitting columns, special precautions must be taken to prevent deflection. Bending forces also tend to introduce high internal stresses in solid columns which are not properly connected to the various parts. 7

Also, it is desirable to keep the weight of the parts as low as possible and to eliminate long columns of fluid leading to the hydraulic motors. Further, it is advantageous to locate the vulnerable hydraulic motor parts of the press in a protected area so that they will not be damaged by bombing or similar dangers. Another problem is the prevention of deflection of the tables as load is applied.

One of the objects of the present invention is to pro-.

vide an improved die forging press of larger capacity than hitherto possible and which is arranged to reduce the internal stresses in the various operating parts.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a die forging press having the most vulnerable parts located so that they will be better protected from damage than is the case with previous presses.

. In one embodiment of the invention, a sliding table or lower vertically stationary table is at floor level and the hydraulic mechanism is located in a protected zone below the floor level. An upper crosshead or connecting means is provided, the hydraulic mechanism being connected to the upper crosshead means by columns com posed of, a plurality of vertically extending plates in laminated assemblies, such an arrangement being used in place of solid tie rods.

The hydraulic mechanism can be suitably connected to the lower ends of the vertical columns for vertically reciprocating the same. Preferably, a plurality of hydraulic motors are connected to groups of vertical plates extending between oppositely disposed vertical columns. Thus, columns on opposite sides of the table are operated by the same hydraulic mechanism or plurality of hydraulic motors. The connections of the hydraulic mechanism to the columns may be referred to generally as the lower crosshead means.

The column connections to the upper crosshead means and to the hydraulic motor connecting means are through extensions on the columns having tapering or outwardly diverging surfaces relative to the vertical axes of the columns, said connections being adjacent the ends of. said columns. The diverging surfaces on the columns are arranged, to be held in contact with the mating or complementary surfaces on the upper crosshead means and with the motor connecting means only by the weight of the parts and the action of the hydraulic motor means, and such connection is referred to herein as force connected or tension connected. Thus, the complemen- 2,722,174 Patented Nov. 1, 1955 tary surfaces are located between the diverging surfaces on the extensions.

The upper movable crosshead means can be connected to the upper vertically movable table or platen by a plurality of vertically extending laminated structures arranged to reduce the deflection of the various parts of the table, particularly the center portions. Preferably, the columns are connected to a plurality of transversely extending vertical laminated plates, the under side of said plates being connected by a plurality of vertical laminated plates arranged substantially at right angles relative to said transversely extending plates, said second mentioned plurality of plates being suitably connected to the upper table. The longitudinal axis of the press is that extending perpendicular to the open front side of the press through which work is inserted. The aforementioned arrangement will result in a stiff, relatively light-weight structure.

The plates or laminae making up the laminated colurnns are arranged so that they are generally free to move relative to each other and thus are stressed separately. As a result, the internal shear stresses, as compared with shear stresses present in solid rods and plates of equivalent strength, will be less. Because of the use of a plurality of vertical members having freedom of movement relative to each other, the bending moment stresses in the columns due to lateral deflection of the movable crosshead will be greatly reduced as compared with equivalent solid rods. Eccentric loading of the parts is one of the causes of lateral deflection of the movable crosshead.

Sirnilarly,-the lower crosshead means can be composed of laminated structural elements connected adjacent to the lower ends of the vertical columns and to the reciprocable part of the hydraulic mechanism.

The composite structure will be of considerably less weight than an equivalent solid structure and will be stilf.

Still another feature of the invention is the ease of transportation of the various parts for assembly at the place where the press is to be erected, particularly as compared with the heavy and awkward to handle castings of present large presses.

These and other objects, features, advantages of'the invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front view of the press with the lower right hand portion of the press in section.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the press shown in Fig ure 1 looking from the right of Figure 1 and with the right hand portion of the press shown in vertical longitudinal section taken along line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the upper portion of Figure 1, the right hand portion being shown in vertical transverse section taken along line 33 of Figure 2.

The press may have a lower sliding or vertically stationary table 10 at approximately floor level 11, said lower table being suitably slidable by means of hydraulic motor means 12 operating ram means 13 connected to the table. The upper table 15 is carried by upper table support or bed means 16, said upper bed means being operably connected to upper movable crosshead means 17 in a manner to be described hereafter. It is, of course, apparent that other types of tables can be used.

Upper movable crosshead means 17 is connected by the laminated columns 18 to the lower crosshead means 19. The lower crosshead means is reciprocable vertically by the hydraulic mechanism indicated at 20, hydraulic mechanism 20 being carried by supports 21, said supports being mounted on main foundation 22. The

lower table is carried by the lower table supports or lower bed 23 mounted on the laminated structures 24.

The upper movable crosshead means 17 is composed of a plurality of laminated structures, 'each structure assembly being formed of a plurality of transversely extending plates 25 and a plurality of longitudinally extending plates 31. Each transversely extending plate structure assembly is joined to its respective column enclosure 26 in a manner described hereinafter and the pairs of assemblies are joined together or spaced by means of spacer plates 27 and 28 (Figure 3), said spacer plates being welded at each end to a marginal inwardly facing plate 25 of a structure assembly. The spacer plates 27 and 28 extend between the transversely extending structures located on either side of the various columns. Plates 29 are bolted to members 30 welded to the ends of transverse plates 25.

Longitudinally extending plates 31 are notched at 32 toreceive plates 33 welded to the bottom of plates 25 of the structure assemblies.

The plates 31 are arranged in assemblies so' as to form laminated struts or structures similar to the structure assembliesinto which plates 25 are assembled.

In order'to properly provide against deflection, it is to be noted that more plates are used in the struts approaching the center of the table 15. In the example shown, three plates are used on the outside assemblies, four plates in the next inner assemblies, and five plates in the two interior assemblies which are closest to the center line of the tables.

The assemblies 31 are held in place by means of bolts 34, spacer plates 35 being located between the various assemblies. The lower ends of the plates 31 abut the upper bed 16 in any suitable manner such as to hold the upper table15 without undue defiection regardless of pressure exerted. Upper bed 16 has cover plates 36 surrounding columns 18, there being a' wedge plate 37 provided if desired.

' By use of the combination of a plurality of transversely extendingplates and longitudinally extending plates, deflection of the upper table when under high pressures, especially when eccentrically loaded, will be substantially reduced or eliminated.

' Returnh'ydraulic motors 38 can be located between upper bed 16 and lower table plate 23, the motors having bed 16. There may be a return motor for each vertical column"and these motors can be energized in various manners and relationships. These may be energized'in such a manner as-to reduce'the effects of eccentric loadingas" a work piece is being operated upon. I Laminated columns 18 can be guided by a guide bearing 42 carried 'by'the lower table support 23. Bearing 42 is engageable with a two part sleeve 43 carried by the columns 18 and heldin place by strip members 44 welded to the outer plates of column 18.

The lower ends of columns 18 are connected with the lower crosshead means 19 by lower column enclosures 45. Theplates 46 of the columns 18 have diverging or taperingsurfaces "47, 48 at their lower and upper ends so as to transmit forcel without introducingundesirable stresses. The tapering surfaces 47 and 48 are force connected with their mating tapering surfaces on the upper crosshead means through wedge members 26a fixed to the upper edges of plates 25 and the hydraulic motor connecting means. The forces perpendicular at the face of mating surfaces 47 and 48 are angularly disposed relative to the forcein the columns 18 when pressure is exerted-on the columns. In the form shown, three transversely arranged hydraulic'motors are connected through platcs 49 to the opposed columns located on either side of the tables. Column enclosures may be joined suitablyto the cause ofbombing or otherwise.

transversely extending plate-assemblies 49, thereby connecting the columns to the hydraulic rams of the motors involved. The laminated plate assemblies 49 are separated by means of spacer plates 50, 51 which are between the assemblies located on either side of a row of motors. Preferably, the vertical columns are located with their plates arranged to be in longitudinally extending planes as shown but they may be disposed so that the plates run transversely relative to the tables.

Hydraulic rams 52 are connected through the ram crossheads 53 with the upper ends of the laminated assemblies of plates 49. Hydraulic cylinders 54 are connected through lamina'tedassemblies of plates 55 withthe laminated assemblies of plates 56 carrying table support 23, plates 55 being angularly disposed relative to plates 56 so as to provide a stiff structure. The laminated assemblies of plates 56 are separated from each other by spacer plates 57 and. are held by bolts 58.

The various plates, or laminae forming the assemblies, particularly the column plates, are arranged so that they can be made from standard parts. The column plates also are arranged so that they are tied together securely only at or adjacent their ends so as to permit relative movement therebetween. In this manner, bending moment stresses and shear stresses will be reduced, as compared with equivalent solid'rods or structures, thus permitting a greater load to be handled for a given structure. For example, the column plates can independently elongate relative to each other according to the individual stress in each plate.

his to be noted that the cylinders are below the floor level and thus substantially protected from damage be- The pumpsand other machinery also can be located on this level. The tables are located'in the'center of the press and the bottom and top structure move together upon operation of the hydraulic motors. Shorter pipes or leads can be used becausethe cylinders are close to the source of pressure water and difficulties because of long water lines and water hammer'will be reduced markedly. As a result of thedescribed arrangement, the center of gravity of the press will be lower than on conventional presses. Also, by use of the laminated structure and arrangement thereof, an extended table means can be used, and yet concentratcd loads' exerted without serious deflection of the parts.

' It should be apparent that details of construction can be modified without departing from the spirit of the inventionexcept as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A press or the like having a first structure "atone end of the'press, a second structure at the other end of said press, an intermediate structure between said first and second structures, and flat tension plate members connecting said first and second structures, said first and second structuresas a unit and said inteermediate structures being movable relative to'each other, each of said plate members including a single pair of opposed integral outwardly projecting extensions located adjacent each end thereof and havingjoutwardly diverging bearing surfaces adjacent each end thereof, said first and said second structures having surfaces complementaryto the bearing surfaces, said diverging bearing surfaces contacting said complementary surfaces.

2. A press or thelike having a first structure at one end of the press, a second structure at the other end of said press, oneof said structures comprising a movable platen, hydraulic means connected to the other of said structures, and fiat tension plate members connecting said structures, each of said plate members including a single pair of opposed integral outwardly projecting extensions located adjacent'each end thereof and having outwardlydiverg ing beari ng surfaces adjacent each" endthereof,' said structures having surfaces complementary to the bearing surfaces, said diverging bearing surfaces contacting said complementary surfaces.

3. A press or the like having a first structure at one end of the press, a second structure at the other end of said press, one of said structures including a movable platen having vertical plates connected thereto and vertical plates angularly disposed relative to and connected with said first mentioned vertical plates, hydraulic means connected to the other of said structures, and flat tension plate members connecting said structures, each of said tension plate members including a single pair of opposed integral outwardly projecting extensions located adjacent each end thereof and having outwardly diverging bearing surfaces adjacent each end thereof, said structures having surfaces complementary to the bearing surfaces, said diverging bearing surfaces contacting said complementary surfaces.

4. A press or the like having an upper movable first structure including a platen and upper crosshead means at one end of the press, a second structure movable with said first structure and located at the other end of said press, hydraulic means connected to said second structure, a vertically stationary table located between said first and second structures, a plurality of vertical plates supporting said table, a plurality of vertical plates angularly disposed relative to and connected with said first mentioned vertical plates and forming a support for said hydraulic means, and tension plate members connecting said structures, said tension plate members including integral outwardly projecting extensions located adjacent each end thereof and having outwardly diverging bearing surfaces adjacent each end thereof, said structures having surfaces complementary to the bearing surfaces, said diverging bearing surfaces contacting said complementary surfaces.

5. A press or the like having an upper first structure at one end of the press, a second structure at the other end of said press, said upper structure including a movable platen and having vertical plates connected thereto and vertical plates angularly disposed relative to and connected with said first mentioned vertical plates, hydraulic means connected to said second structure, a vertically stationary table located between said first and second structures, a plurality of vertical plates supporting said table, a plurality of vertical plates angularly disposed relative to and connected with said table supporting vertical plates and forming a support for said hydraulic means, and tension plate members connecting said structures, said tension plate members including integral outwardly projecting extensions located adjacent each end thereof and having outwardly diverging bearing surfaces adjacent each end thereof, said structures having surfaces complementary to the bearing surfaces, 'said diverging bearing surfaces contacting said complementary surfaces.

6. A press or the like having an upper movable first structure including a platen and a plurality of vertical plates at one end of the press, a second structure movable with said first structure and located at the other end of said press, a plurality of groups of hydraulic means connected to said second structure, and a plurality of tension plate column members arranged in pairs of opposed columns on either side of said structures and connecting said structures, each of said pairs of opposed columns being connected to one of said groups of hydraulic means, said tension plate members including integral outwardly projecting extensions located adjacent each end thereof and having outwardly diverging bearing surfaces adjacent each end thereof, said structures having surfaces complementary to the bearing surfaces, said diverging bearing surfaces contacting said complementary surfaces.

7. A hydraulic press or the like having an upper vertically movable first structure including a platen at one end of the press, a second structure movable with said first structure and located at the other end of the press, main hydraulic actuating means below said movable first structure and connected to said second structure, a vertically stationary table intermediate said main hydraulic means and said first structure, said first structure including a plurality of vertical plate members with a plurality of vertical plate members below and at right angles thereto and between said first mentioned vertical plate members and said platen, a stationary plurality of vertical plates supporting said lower vertically stationary table, a plurality of vertical depending plates connected with, angularly disposed relative to, and located below said table supporting vertical plates, connections between said depending plates and said main hydraulic means form- 'ing a support therefor, a plurality of hydraulic return motors between said first structure and said table, and tension plate members connecting said structures, said tension plate members including integral outwardly projecting extensions located adjacent each end thereof and having outwardly diverging bearing surfaces adjacent each end thereof, said structures having surfaces complementary to the bearing surfaces, said diverging bearing surfaces contacting said complementary surfaces.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 336,604 Tweddell et a1 Feb. 23, 1886 1,180,896 Weaver Apr. 25, 1916 1,410,692 McIlVIied Mar. 28, 1922 1,435,486 Leon et al. Nov. 14, 1922 2,087,403 Gonser et al July 20, 1937 2,094,862 Welsh Oct. 5, 1937 2,148,704 Merritt Feb. 28, 1939 2,296,072 Tucker Sept. 15, 1942 2,416,058 Mangnall Feb. 18, 1947 2,417,697 Loomis Mar. 18, 1947 2,624,272 Stacy Jan. 6, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 15,222 Great Britain 1904 

